Client matching: a severity-treatment intensity paradigm.
Despite considerable effort to develop matching strategies and client placement protocols, research studies fail to yield compelling results regarding the benefits of matching to treatment. The most consistent findings suggest a matching paradigm, which defines a successful placement as the least treatment intensity required addressing the severity of the disorder. The purpose of the present study is to provide further empirical support for the validity of a severity-intensity paradigm utilizing data from the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Studies. A "passive match" approach employed the Client Matching Protocol decision algorithm, which recommended clients to long-term residential or outpatient drug-free treatment. One-year outcomes for clients matched to long-term residential treatment were better on all outcome variables compared to those undertreated in outpatient drug-free treatment. Findings supported the validity of the severity-intensity paradigm in that undertreated clients showed less improvement compared to matched and overtreated clients.
De Leon
George
G
Center for Therapeutic Community Research, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., 71 West 23rd Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10010, USA. deleon@ndri.org
Melnick
Gerald
G
Cleland
Charles M
CM
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000145:classification / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000145:classification / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000145:classification / Q000534:rehabilitation; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011379:Prognosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014481:United States
D013287:Illicit Drugs